Christian Health Care Center Held Second Annual "Pooch Parade

Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff recently held its second annual dog show hosted by the Heritage Manor Nursing Home Activities Department. More than 100 residents, staff, and family members joined together in the CHCC Auditorium to debut their dearest doggies in what was definitely a fun and lively afternoon.

Fourteen pups and their owners participated in the second annual pooch parade, which included touring the dogs around the Auditorium for everyone to view, followed by sharing a few fun facts about their pets, such as names, ages, personalities, rescue locations, and amusing stories.

The afternoon ended with several prizes including waggiest tail, smallest dog, and longest ears, and each furry friend received a doggy goody bag filled with an assortment of prizes and dog treats.

“Our senior residents have enjoyed and benefitted from pet activities and interactions for many years at Christian Health Care Center,” said Linda Bunker, ADC, Heritage Manor/ Southgate Activities Director. “This particular event draws families and friends of our residents to visit with their loved ones and spend an enjoyable afternoon together. As a result of the

event being such a success for two years in a row, we intend to make it an annual activity! The next dog show is scheduled for September 2017.”

CHCC welcomes members of the community to bring their dogs in for pet therapy for the residents. The benefits of pet therapy are significant, and can improve both physical and mental health. Benefits include lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, lifting spirits and lessening depression, providing comfort, and increasing socialization, to name just a few. If you are interested in CHCC’s pet-therapy program, contact Ms. Bunker at (201) 848-4249 or email lbunker@chccnj.org.

Heritage Manor Nursing Home is Medicare- and Medicaid-certified, with accommodations for 134 residents in private and semi-private rooms. Large windows in every room provide natural light and beautiful views of the Ramapo Mountains, the woods, and wildlife. CHCC staff work to create an individualized care plan for each resident that is designed to meet any special needs he/she may have. CHCC seeks not only to meet physical needs, but also to acknowledge and enhance each individual’s spiritual and emotional well-being. Heritage Manor West recently underwent major renovations. A hearth living room, complete with a double-sided fireplace leading into an all-new kitchen/dining area, and updated dining rooms make residents feel at home within the Center and are less institutional. In addition to making the Center feel more like home, the former large Nurses’ Station has been replaced with smaller offices to allow residents to use more space in common areas as they would in their own homes.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we

deliver care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were foundedmore than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.

CUTLINE

Photo A: Debby Neill, Child Day Care Center Director, with her Golden Doodle, Sadie Girl, who won “Best Coat of Fur” and “Longest Tail.” The Child Day Care Center is located in the lower level of The Longview Assisted Living Residence at Christian Health Care Center.

CUTLINE

Photo B: Newly renovated Heritage Manor West dining room

CUTLINE

Photo C: Newly renovated Heritage Manor West kitchen

CUTLINE

Photo D: Heritage Manor West kitchen and dining area

CUTLINE

Photo E: Heritage Manor West hearth